Howard Tenens has announced significant progress against its decarbonisation targets, more than halving its carbon footprint in just five years while continuing to grow its operations.
The family-owned business, which was one of the first to sign Logistics UK's ‘Route to Net Zero’ pledge, has reduced average fleet carbon emissions per kilometre by 55% against its baseline year, exceeding the level originally targeted for 2030. The business has also more than halved carbon emissions relative to turnover and delivered its largest annual carbon reduction to date. The milestone comes at the halfway point of Howard Tenens' 2030 decarbonisation road map and places the company in a prime position for achieving its net zero emissions target by 2045.
Anna Rickard, Environmental Consultant for Howard Tenens, said:
“We are absolutely delighted with the significant progress we have made so far in reducing our carbon footprint. 100% of our customers’ warehouse operations are now achieved using renewable electricity through a combination of investment in solar PV on our roofs, renewable energy contracts and bioLPG being used in our MHE equipment. Over 95% of our emissions are now due to the large fleet of trucks that we operate and as everyone in the logistics industry will know, decarbonising heavy goods vehicles is extremely challenging due to the limited technological options available. We are using every viable option to reduce our emissions, whether that be renewable diesel, bioCNG or electric vehicles for our fleet. Achieving a 55% reduction in average fleet emissions is an amazing milestone, and one which we are incredible proud to have achieved.”
Over the last five years, Howard Tenens has implemented a broad scope of carbon reduction initiatives across its transport and warehousing operations. In the last financial year, 2024/25, these included replacing 3.3 million litres of diesel with HVO renewable fuel, expanding its biomethane-powered fleet to seven vehicles, increasing its solar energy generation capacity to over 6 MWp, sufficient to meet 29% of its electricity needs, transitioning warehouse MHE equipment to more energy efficient and lower-carbon alternatives and deploying advanced telematics technology to improve vehicle efficiency. Renewable fuels accounted for more than half of all fuel used across the fleet.
The results have been significant. In just the last reporting year, Howard Tenens reduced total carbon emissions by 34%, equivalent to more than 3,600 tonnes of CO₂e. Compared with its baseline year, emissions per £million turnover have reduced by 72%, demonstrating that environmental improvements have been achieved alongside commercial growth.
The business is now entering the next phase of its decarbonisation strategy through investment in zero-emission vehicle technology and supporting infrastructure.
Howard Tenens has recently purchased its first battery-electric HGVs, including a 42-tonne articulated vehicle and a 28-tonne rigid truck. The company has also invested in new EV charging infrastructure at its Swindon, Ashby and Stakehill depots, with 320kW of installed charging capacity and six 40kW mobile chargers delivered as part of the project.
Alongside its own operational investments, Howard Tenens continues to play an active role in shaping the future of sustainable logistics. The business is participating in Project JOLT, trialling electric heavy goods vehicles through industry partnerships and contributing operational insight through engagement with government and industry decarbonisation working groups.
Jamie Hartles, Group Chief Executive Officer, added:
“Our sustainability journey began nearly two decades ago, long before sustainability became a mainstream business priority. We then set ourselves ambitious targets because we believed the logistics industry needed to move toward delivering real results. Achieving these goals ahead of schedule shows what's possible when long-term commitment is backed by investment and action.
“We're now entering the next stage of that journey. The introduction of our first battery-electric HGVs and investment in charging infrastructure marks an important step towards the future of road transport. While challenges remain across the sector, we're committed to being part of the solution and helping drive the transition to lower-carbon logistics.”
The achievements have recently been recognised through industry award shortlists, including nominations for both Low Carbon and Sustainability awards. However, Howard Tenens believes the most important measure of success is the tangible progress being made towards a lower-carbon future.
With significant carbon reductions already delivered and major investments underway, the business remains firmly focused on delivering its long-term ambition of reaching net zero emissions by 2045.
